The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test which has been widely used as part of the assessment process for admission to MBA programs in Business Schools for many years. The GMAT is available only as a Computer Adaptive Test ( CAT ). It measures basic verbal, quantitative, and writing skills that are developed over a long period of time and is available year-round at test centers throughout the world. Of the several thousand graduate management programs worldwide, nearly 1,700 use the GMAT and more than 1,000 require it.

In the school selection process, applicants are asked to show evidence of their potential to succeed. The GMAT is only one such measure of potential academic performance in graduate management education. In addition to the GMAT, this evidence typically includes academic records, work experience, application essays, recommendations, and interviews.

The GMAT is specifically designed to measure the verbal, quantitative, and writing skills of applicants for graduate study in business. It does not, however, demand any specialized knowledge of business or any other technical area, nor does it measure achievement in any particular subject. In addition, the test does not evaluate subjective factors important to academic and career success such as motivation, creativity, interpersonal skills, and study skills. Test takers should note that the GMAT is entirely in English and that all instructions are provided in English.

The test has three main sections - quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning , and analytical writing. Each complete test has the same format and areas of content, but specific questions vary from one to another. The questions are continuously replaced, but must fit the overall content and statistical requirements for the test.

When is the GMAT Test held?

Round-the-year. Unlike other exams, you can choose your own date and time for taking the GMAT! The test is administered in the above cities five-days-a-week (Monday through Friday), twice-a-day. September to December is the high season for GMAT, so in case you intend to take the test during this period, you need to register very early (say 90 days in advance) to get a date of your choice. Otherwise, registering at least 15 days in advance is mandatory. The test lasts roughly four hours, and most centres offer two slots : 9 A.M. and  2 P.M.

Eligibility and Fees

Anyone and everyone is eligible for taking the GMAT - there are no restrictions based on age or qualifications. The test scores are valid for five years, i.e., most universities accept scores up to five years old. But it is always better if your scores are recent (not older than 2 years).

Test fees for GMAT may vary according to the country in which you take the test. In India, this fee is US $225, payable at the time of registration.You can now pay in Indian Rupees. Payment in Indian Rupees must be made at the telegraphic transfer selling (TTS) exchange rate of the U.S. dollar equivalent. The draft should be made out in favor of "parsons" payable in the U.S. and should be drawn on a Indian bank.

Alternately, the payment can also be made through a credit card which has global acceptance.

There are three ways to register:

Registering by Phone: You may call up Prometric center until 5:00 PM to register. Make sure to call at least THREE BUSINESS DAYS before the test date.

Registering by Fax: If registering by fax, you must send your fax at least SEVEN DAYS prior to your first choice of a test day.

Registering by Mail/Courier: Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card), and submit these to the Prometric Centre at New Delhi either by hand or by registered post/courier.

You must send the documents at least THREE WEEKS before your choice of a test day.

On receipt of your documents, an appointment will be scheduled for you to test at the Prometric Center. Confirmation of the date, time and location of the appointment will be sent to you.

If you do not receive confirmation at least THREE business days before your first choice of test day, please call the Sylvan office to verify your appointment.

 

GMAT - The Computer Adaptive Test Structure

Sections	No of Questions	Types of questions	Time
ANALYTICAL WRITING	2 Essays	Analysis of Issue	30 mins
		Analysis of Argument	30 mins
QUANTITATIVE	37 questions	Problem Solving (23 to 24 questions)	75 mins
		Data Sufficiency (13 to 14 questions)
VERBAL	41 questions	Sentence Correction (14 to 15 Questions)	75 mins
		Critical Reasoning(14 to 15 Questions)
		Reading Comprehension(4 Passages with 12 to 14 Questions)
		Total Time	210 mins / 3½ hrs